Normally working bladders from progenitor cells in animals have been successfully regenerated by researchers.
It is already known that stem cells have the ability to turn into specific cells of different tissues. A team of researchers from Tengion, Inc. in Winston-Salem, North Carolina use this character in a study of regenerating bladders.
During bladder biopsies bladder progenitor cells were removed and created neo-bladders were created. These neo-bladders were then implanted into 14 mammals with surgically removed bladders.
Animals managed to develop normally functioning bladders in 6 months after the neo-bladders were implanted. The regenerated organs were showed to have properly working blood supply and nerve networking systems. Bladders were also properly connected to other organs.
Researchers will later conduct human trials and generate same results for human patients. In case of success, those with failed bladder functions or those in need of bladder removal because of different diseased and cancer will have a chance of regenerating new bladders.